Mae Belle Krisha P.

Cesar Art Criticism Gec Art

5:30-6:30 MWF

BSA-1 Room 107 Bates

Description

The Cast of the head of the Transfiguration is one of the masterpiece made by

Napoleon Veloso Abueva, the Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture. He was

proclaimed National Artist for Sculpture in 1976 when he was 46 years old, making him

the youngest recipient of the award to date. Napoleon made the “Cast of the head of the

Transfiguration“, in the year 1973. The main material used in the artwork is fiberglass.

This work of Mr. Napoleon Abueva is portraying Jesus during the transfiguration.

Moving closer to the artwork you can see the every small detail of the beard and the hair

making it look so real. It was even made more realistic as it includes the wrinkles and the
eyebrows. Despite the details found in the face, it still made the beautifully carved eyes

stood out, making it the focus of the certain masterpiece.

Analyzation

During my visit in the National Museum, I was astonished by the displayed

artworks, knowing that all of those masterpieces were all from the sweat and hard work

of our very own Boholano pride, Mr. Napoleon Abueva.

Strolling around I saw the “cast of the head of the Transfiguration”. Seeing it for

the first time I already thought maybe it’s a Greek god portraying a famous scene or story,

since it somehow shows that it looks up above and it’s hair seems like blown by the air or

by a powerful force. Not until I saw the title of the artwork, I really thought it was a Greek

god. Having read the art title, it then made me think maybe it is Jesus, since most of the

figures or subjects of Mr. Napoleon Abueva’s artworks in the museum are related or

pertaining to his catholic faith- a huge part of a strong Boholano culture.

Interpretation

The Cast of the head of the Transfiguration shows not only the good craftsmanship

of the National artist, but also his intimate relationship to his faith. He made the artwork

so real, like a person very close to him that he made every single detail count. Showing

that the Lord Jesus is not just a god, but He is also a man brought into this world. The

beard pertains to Jesus’ stay here on earth with us, and that He also grew up from being
a child until He became a young adult. The wrinkles in His face shows that He also

experienced the life of an ordinary man. Lastly, the position of the head looking above

feels like He was talking to God the Father, just like the moment of Jesus’ Transfiguration.

As Jesus looks above, His hair was effortlessly swayed by wind, as He felt the presence

of His Father.

Judge:

I believe that Mr. Napoleon Abueva made this sculpture with all his heart. Most of

Mr. Abueva’s artworks were all connected to his strong faith to his Creator. Strolling

around the museum you can see how he expresses his faith through sculpting. The “Cast

of the Head of the Transfiguration” is one of the most attractive figures in the museum,

not just because of its unique position in or standing in the museum, but also because of

the mesmerizing good craftsmanship that is obviously recognize as viewers look closely

to the artwork that was definitely well detailed. To be able to stand closely to this

masterpiece can lead to the feeling of intimacy between the viewer and the artwork. Thus

the closer you look, the more you will realize the faith of Mr. Napoloen Abueva to his belief

that he took time to know God and know every detail of Him just as he sculpt every strand

of the hair and the beard in the artwork.